Preference Scale Research Articles

Photospheric Swirls in a Quiet-Sun Region

Abstract Swirl-shaped flow structures have been observed throughout the solar atmosphere, in both emission and absorption, at different altitudes and locations, and are believed to be associated with magnetic structures. However, the distribution patterns of such swirls, especially their spatial positions, remain unclear. Using the Automated Swirl Detection Algorithm, we identified swirls from the high-resolution photospheric observations, centered on Fe i 630.25 nm, of a quiet region near the Sun's central meridian by the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. Via a detailed study of the locations of the detected small-scale swirls with an average radius of ~300 km, we found that most of them are located in lanes between mesogranules (which have an average diameter of ~5.4 Mm) instead of the commonly believed intergranular lanes. The squared rotation, expansion/contraction and vector speeds, and proxy kinetic energy are all found to follow Gaussian distributions. Their rotation speed, expansion/contraction speed, and circulation are positively correlated with their radius. All these results suggest that photospheric swirls at different scales and locations across the observational 56 . ″ 5 × 57 . ″ 5 field of view could share the same triggering mechanism at preferred spatial and energy scales. A comparison with our previous work suggests that the number of photospheric swirls is positively correlated with the number of local magnetic concentrations, stressing again the close relation between swirls and local magnetic concentrations: the number of swirls should positively correlate with the number and strength of local magnetic concentrations.

Preferences on treatment decision making in sarcoma patients. Prevalence and associated factors - Results from the PROSa Study.

The impact of being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness may influence preferences to participate in treatment decisions. The objective of this analysis was to identify factors that are associated with sarcoma patients wanting to take a more active or passive role. Data was obtained as part of a nationwide multicenter study (PROSa) aiming to investigate the structure and quality of medical care of sarcoma patients in Germany and their determinants. The study was conducted between 2017 and 2020 in 39 study centers. For the present analysis, cross-sectional data of adult patients with sarcoma of any entity were analyzed. Control preference was measured with the control preference scale (CPS). Preferences were divided in patient-led, shared, or physician-led-decision-making. Associated factors were analyzed exploratively using multivariable multinominal logistic regression models. We included socio-economical and medical variables with stepwise backward variable selection. We included 1081 patients (48.6% female). 402 patients (37.2%) preferred to be in control about treatment decisions, while 400 patients (37.0%) favored shared responsibility. 25.8% (n = 279) wished to rather leave the control to the treating physician. Older patients were more likely to prefer shared decision-making than younger patients aged 18 to 40 years (age group: > 75 years: Odds Ratio (OR) .53, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) .28; .99). Patients with a metastatic tumor desired shared decision making compared to those without metastases (metastasis: OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.09; 2.38). When comparing the patients who preferred physician-led decision making with those who favored to be in control, older patients also preferred leaving the control to the physician and were less inclined to make the decisions by themselves: (18 to > 40 years vs > 75 years: OR .28, 95% CI .15; .55). With secondary school (8/9 years) as reference, patients holding a high school degree were more likely to prefer patient-led decision-making over physician-led decision making (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.26; 3.09). Patients with sarcoma of the abdomen/retroperitoneum were more predisposed to taking control in treatment decisions compared to those with sarcoma of the back/spine or lower limb (back/spine: OR .18, 95% CI .06; .54, lower limb: OR .56, 95% CI .37; .85). With an income of 1250 €/month as reference, patients with a higher income were more likely to take control (> 2750€/month: OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0; 3.1). The findings of our study demonstrate that patients with metastatic disease are more likely to seek a joint decision, while those of higher age and lower education level are less likely to actively participate in treatment decisions. The results suggest that the impact of advanced illness may influence preferences to participate.

The impact of parental phubbing on social withdrawal in preschool children: the serial mediating roles of parent–child conflict and negative emotions

BackgroundThe positive association of parental phubbing with internalizing and externalizing problems among adolescents has gained academic traction. However, current researches on the negative impacts of parental phubbing have focused primarily on adolescents, with a noticeable lack of studies concerning preschool children, and there is also a deficiency in investigations from the perspective of the Risky Family Model. These gaps limit our understanding of how parental phubbing affects problem behaviors among preschool children. To address this gap, the present study constructed a chain mediation model to examine the association between parental phubbing and social withdrawal in preschool children, by introducing two mediating variables—parent–child conflict and negative emotions.MethodsA sample of 739 preschool children (mean age 5.04 years, SD = 0.84) and their parents participated in the study. The parents completed measures of the Parental Phubbing Scale, Child–Parent Relationship Scale, Children’s Behavior Questionnaire, and Child Social Preference Scale. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the four scales were 0.75, 0.84, 0.74, and 0.83, respectively. All the measures showed good reliability and validity in the present study. The data were analyzed via SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS.ResultsThe results indicated that (1) parental phubbing had a significant positive effect on social withdrawal in young children; (2) parent–child conflict and negative emotions independently mediated the relationship between parental phubbing and social withdrawal in young children; and (3) parent–child conflict and negative emotions served as serial mediators in the relationship between parental phubbing and social withdrawal in young children.ConclusionsThese findings in the present study contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying the association between parental phubbing and social withdrawal and have important implications for interventions aimed at improving social withdrawal among preschool children in China. Furthermore, the present study first introduced parental phubbing into the Risky Family Model, expanding the applicability of this model.

Shared decision-making in patients with gynecological cancer and healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional observational study in Japan.

This cross-sectional study aimed to understand the actual situation of shared decision-making (SDM) and identify the challenges of implementing SDM among Japanese gynecologic cancer patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Adult Japanese women undergoing chemotherapy for endometrial or ovarian/fallopian tube cancer and HCPs who prescribed/administered treatment were enrolled. Data were collected via a web-based questionnaire. Primary endpoints were the actual and desired status of SDM for patients by preferred role (active, collaborative, passive), and important aspects in drug selection for patients and HCPs. SDM treatment preferences were determined using the Control Preferences Scale. Respondents comprised 154 patients (77 for endometrial and 77 for ovarian/fallopian tube cancer), 153 physicians, 166 nurses, and 154 pharmacists. Among patients, 53.9% desired an active role in decision-making, and 55.8% participated; 25.3% desired a collaborative role, and 14.3% participated; and 20.8% desired a passive role, and 29.9% participated. Most patients with a collaborative role in decision-making (86.4%) were "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with their communication with physicians, compared with 60.4% and 73.9% of respondents with active and passive roles in decision-making, respectively. In daily practice, 23.5%, 47.6%, and 19.5% of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, respectively, confirmed "awareness" of SDM. Regarding treatment expectations, patients ranked "complete elimination of cancer," and HCPs ranked "live longer" as the most important. Most patients desire involvement in their treatment decisions. Additionally, treatment expectations differ between patients and HCPs. Increasing SDM awareness, implementing it systematically, and addressing patients' needs for collaborative roles in decision-making is essential.

Undergraduates’ Work Ethics, and Motivation for Occupational Preference: What Nexus Therein?

Decision-making, particularly on career choice, could be tasking. This is because lots of competing variables are at play during the process. Confusion within the individual and influences outside the individual(s) affect career outcomes. Ethical consideration is also an important construct in professional and other human relationships. This paper studied the association between work ethics and the drive for occupational preference among undergraduates in Ogun State, Nigeria. Two hundred and fourteen Philosophy students in the penultimate and final years at a State-owned University in Ogun State, Nigeria, participated in the study. Two standardised instruments – the Multidimensional Work Ethics Questionnaire (MWEQ) and the Motivation for Occupational Preference Scale (MOPS) - were utilised for data collection. Findings revealed a significant contribution of work ethics to the prediction of motivation for occupational preference (R2 = .480; F (10,203) = 18.771; p <. 05). It was concluded that work ethics significantly impact on career preference of participants. Some recommendations were made based on the findings.

People living with chronic pain in Canada face difficult decisions and decisional conflict concerning their care: data from the national DECIDE-PAIN survey

BackgroundShared decision-making is an imperative in chronic pain care. However, we know little about the decision-making process, especially in primary care where most chronic pain care is provided. We sought to understand decisional needs of people living with chronic pain in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional online survey of random samples of adults living in Canada with chronic noncancer pain and registered with the Leger Marketing panel. We followed the International Association for Study of Pain definition of chronic pain (i.e., persistent or recurrent pain lasting longer than three months). We used a stratified proportional random sampling based on the population and chronic pain prevalence of each province to achieve representativeness. Based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, we collected data on difficult decisions (i.e., decision with more than one option and no clear best option) related to their chronic pain condition, the level of decisional conflict associated with the most difficult decisions (i.e., Decisional Conflict Scale), the assumed and preferred role during the decision-making process (i.e., Control Preferences Scale), and respondents’ characteristics. We used descriptive quantitative analyses of survey responses.ResultsOf the 31,545 invited panellists, 2,666 met the eligibility criteria, and 1,649 respondents from the 10 Canadian provinces completed the survey. Respondents had diverse socio-demographic profiles. Mean age was 51.8 years (SD = 16.3). Half were men (51.4%), most lived in urban areas (87.8%), mean pain duration was 8.5 years (SD = 9.6), and respondents reported an average number of painful body regions of 2.3 (SD = 1.5). We observed that 96.7% of respondents faced at least one difficult decision across their care pathways. These difficult decisions were related to numerous issues from the medical consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and daily life. Almost half of respondents made their most difficult decision with a primary care physician. One third of respondents experienced a high level of clinically significant decisional conflict (Decisional Conflict Scale score ≥ 37.5). Two-thirds of respondents self-reported having a collaborative role during their decision while three-quarters wanted this role.ConclusionsPeople living with chronic pain in Canada have unmet decisional needs and need support to make optimal decisions to manage their chronic pain. Our findings will guide future development of interventions to implement shared decision-making, especially to support primary care where discussions about difficult decisions often occur.

RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF CARDIAC SIZE BY USING MULTIPLE SCALING SYSTEMS IN HEALTHY CAPTIVE AYE-AYES (DAUBENTONIA MADAGASCARIENSIS).

The aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is an unusual lemur with a small population in human care. Cardiac pathologies, but not normal size parameters, have been reported in this species. This study aimed to determine whether radiographic cardiac scaling systems commonly used to evaluate heart size in domestic mammals have potential clinical application in aye-ayes. Selected cardiac silhouette, vertebral, and intrathoracic skeletal dimensions were measured retrospectively on paired sets of orthogonal thoracic radiographs collected during health examinations of aye-ayes maintained at three British zoos. Measurements from 21 healthy aye-ayes (10 males, 11 females) of varying ages were used to calculate reference intervals (RI) with 90% confidence intervals for vertebral heart scale in both right lateral (VHS-RLat) and ventrodorsal (VHS-VD) projections, a modified VHS (VHS-Mod), thoracic inlet heart size (TIHS), and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR). VHS-VD (9.49 ± 0.29) was slightly higher than VHS-RLat (9.32 ± 0.33; P = 0.08) and had the lowest coefficient of variation of the scaling indices; TIHS was 4.89 ± 0.36, VHS-Mod was 11.07 ± 0.49, and CTR was 0.53 ± 0.05. Thoracic depth-to-width ratio of aye-ayes ranged between 0.75 and 0.91, equivalent to an intermediate thoracic morphology in dogs. No scaling indices differed significantly by sex, age group, or thoracic morphology; however, VHS-Mod and CTR were significantly correlated with bodyweight (P = 0.0022 and P = 0.041, respectively) and CTR with age (P = 0.02). Summed cardiac dimensions demonstrated a near-linear relationship with bodyweight and T4 vertebral length (both P < 0.05), but not thoracic inlet length (P = 0.12). Analysis of measurements by using serial radiographs from hand-reared animals indicated potential utility of RI in aye-ayes >0.4 yr. Overall, results suggest VHS-VD and VHS-RLat are preferred cardiac scaling indices in aye-ayes. These data will aid zoo clinicians in the evaluation of cardiac size and identification of cardiomegaly in this endangered primate.

Shared Decision Making in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a primary lymphocytic scarring alopecia which occurs predominantly in Black middle-aged women.1,2 The benefits and prevalence of shared decision-making (SDM) models for CCCA patients have yet to be studied. Our study investigates the role of SDM in the management of CCCA. SDM processes were measured by the SDM-Q9, the Decisional Regret Scale (DRS), and the Patient Control Preferences Scale (CPS). Members of the Scarring Alopecia Foundation (n=1192) were recruited between June and August of 2023 via a one-time email sent via the Scarring Alopecia Foundation listserv. 87 respondents were documented. The CPS (n=87) suggested that most patients (47.6% ; n=41) prefer to share responsibility with their doctor for treatment decisions. The SDM Q-9 (Scored 0-45) and DRS [scored 0-100] demonstrated mean scores of 27.5 (11.5) and 38.4 (19.4), with higher and lesser scores, respectively, demonstrating patient satisfaction with SDM. SDM is useful in complex decision-making when there are several medically reasonable alternatives available for treatment. Patients with CCCA may benefit from this model, and investments in resources such as patient decision aids and SDM training for further dermatologists will aid integration into clinical practice. There was no method of verifying the CCCA diagnosis for respondents. Additionally, most respondents had tertiary education, which limits generalizability to the wider population. Lastly, the low survey response rate (9.7%) predisposes to nonresponse bias. The CPS, SDM-Q-9, and DRS suggest that patients with CCCA prefer to be involved in management decisions.

Research on Determining the Weights of Key Influencing Factors Based on Multi-Grained Binary Semantics

To effectively address the complexity of the environment, information uncertainty, and variability among decision-makers in the event of an enterprise emergency, a multi-granularity binary semantic-based emergency decision-making method is proposed. Decision-makers use preferred multi-granularity non-uniform linguistic scales combined with binary semantics to represent the evaluation information of key influencing factors. Secondly, the weights were determined based on the proposed method. Finally, the proposed method’s effectiveness is validated using a case study of a fire incident in a chemical company.

Decisional Control Preferences in Managing Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas.

To evaluate patient preferences for decision-making role in the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas and to identify individual characteristics associated with those preferences. Management of IPMNs is rooted in uncertainty with current guidelines failing to incorporate patients' preferences and values. A representative sample of participants aged 40-70 were recruited to evaluate a clinical vignette where they were given the option to undergo surveillance or surgical resection of their IPMN. Their preferred role in the decision-making process for the vignette was evaluated using the Control Preference Scale. The relationship between control preference and variables including cancer anxiety, health literacy, and education level was analyzed. Of the 520 participants in the study, most preferred an active role (65%), followed by shared (29%), and passive roles (6%) in the decision-making process. Lower health literacy was significantly associated with a more passive control preference (p = 0.003). Non-active preference was significantly associated with Latino race compared to White race (odds ratio = 0.52, p = 0.009) in multivariate analysis. We found no significant association between control preference and education level or cancer anxiety. Most patients preferred an active role in IPMN treatment decisions. Lower health literacy and Latino race were associated with a preference for non-active decision roles. Clinicians should strive to align patient involvement in IPMN treatment decisions with their patient's preferred role.

Therapy Mode Preference Scale: Preliminary Validation Methodological Design.

The use of tele-mental health care increased rapidly in 2020 as a critical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as an effective contact-free alternative to treatment. Today, tele-mental health care remains a viable option for individuals with geographic and physical barriers to treatment. However, there are several potential therapeutic disadvantages to tele-mental health care (ie, missing nonverbal signals, handling crises, confidentiality, weakened social connection in group therapy) that should be evaluated. While published literature has explored client satisfaction within teletherapy and the effect of using technology for tele-mental health care demands, there is a need for published surveys that evaluate the therapeutic experience in teletherapy and in-person mediums of care. The authors of this study sought to develop and validate a survey that could evaluate the comparative impact of teletherapy and in-person care from a therapeutic perspective across key factors (ie, therapeutic alliance, engagement, rapport, and confidentiality). Participants were clients who experienced both tele-mental health care and in-person therapy at an intensive outpatient mental health treatment program for young adults from April 2020 through June 2022. Generated items on the survey were formulated based on input from experts in the field and existing validated scales. All individuals completed the survey on the internet, following informed consent (n=89). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to understand factor structure, and Cronbach α was used to determine internal consistency. Incremental validity was demonstrated through a hierarchical linear regression. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a 14-item, 3-factor structure. All 14 items correlated at a minimum of 0.30 with at least one other item. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.75 and Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (χ291=528.41, P<.001). In total, 3 factors accounted for 61% of the variance, and the preliminary Cronbach α (α=0.71) indicates a satisfactory level of internal consistency. The Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale (ZEF) and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ; -0.29) were significantly correlated, as well as the ZEF and Therapy Mode Preference Scale (TMPS; -0.31), and CSQ and TMPS (0.50; P<.001). Hierarchical linear regression revealed that the CSQ significantly accounted for additional variance in the TMPS (P<.001). With the ZEF entered into the model, no further variance was accounted for (P=.06). Continual research is warranted to expand the current findings by validating this standardized tool for assessing the therapeutic impact of teletherapy versus in-person care in a generalizable population.

Quantifying the effects of luminous properties on human visual and non-visual responses in indoor environments: An integrative lighting network

Artificial lighting is a critical element in indoor environments such as offices, educational facilities, and healthcare settings. However, the dose-response relationships between luminous properties and human responses remain unclear, hindering the scientific determination of lighting parameters in indoor design. This study aims to quantify the impact of luminous properties on human visual and non-visual responses through psychophysical experiments, exploring the correlations and causal relationships between these responses and environmental factors, ultimately establishing a quantitative integrative lighting network. Within the neuroscientific framework of visual and non-visual pathways, this study hypothesizes that 18 luminous properties positively influence five typical human responses: visual preference, visual performance, fatigue, alertness, and emotion. Data were collected from 65 participants (30 males and 35 females) under 28 common indoor lighting conditions by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), preference scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), d2 Test of Attention, and fatigue scale. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses identified significant luminous properties associated with human responses and developed optimal regression models that explained 58.7 % of the variance in visual preference, 75.5 % in visual performance, 57.0 % in fatigue, 70.2 % in alertness, and 59.0 % in positive emotion. Further mediation regression analysis revealed the influence of color quality (V1) on alertness was fully mediated by the impact of spectrum on non-visual components (NV), as was the influence of light distribution and illuminance (V2) on emotion. Based on these findings, an integrative lighting network was constructed, providing essential quantitative evidence and guidelines for designing indoor lighting environments to meet diverse functional needs.

Relationship between personality and music preference: Psychometric adaptation of the music preference scales in a Chinese sample

Individuals evidently have different tastes in and preferences for music. The purpose of this study was to develop two scales for measuring music preference based on genres (text-based) and excerpts (clip-based), using a Chinese sample to explore the relationship between music preference and personality. Specifically, we collected measures of people’s self-reported preferences for a wide range of music genres for further analysis in Study 1. In Study 2, we developed two music preference scales based on the genres identified in Study 1, one text- and the other clip-based. The results of two principal component analyses suggest three-dimensional psychological structures of music preference using both versions of the scale: (1) Traditional and Retro, (2) Exotic and Complex, and (3) Intense and Rebellious. Correlation and regression analyses of music preferences and personality also indicated that music preference is a relatively stable construct that reflects personality traits. Moreover, the three factors identified from the results of studying music preferences in a Chinese sample differ from those identified in studies of music preference in Western countries, suggesting that music preference is influenced by culture. The two scales yielded similar but slightly different outcomes reflecting their discrete emphases and characteristics; they can be used separately or together, depending on the research topic and question. In this study we verified the structure of music preference among a Chinese sample. It provides a reference point for theoretical research on music preference and personality and has practical applications.

Patient control preferences prior to discharge after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background The impact of patient preferences and participation in the acute recovery period prior to discharge after cardiac surgery is not well understood. Although there is a plethora of literature describing pre and post discharge interventions to support patients’ recovery there is minimal evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of specific interventions that optimise recovery or patient preferences for participation in decision making related to this period of transition from hospital to home. Purpose The aim of this study was to explore patient preferences for participation in discharge planning. Methods This study took place in a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia with a population base of over 1 million people that provides over 100,000 episodes of care and approximately 850 cardiothoracic procedures annually. We recruited consecutive adult patients, able to understand and speak English who were being discharged home after cardiac surgery. Prior to discharge, a Registered Nurse conducted a semi-structured interview following patient consent where patients were asked to complete the 5 item Control Preferences Scale (CPS) in relation to 3 discharge planning questions. With each question patients were asked to rate their preferred and actual role in the decision-making process. The CPS has 5 cards each portraying a role in treatment decision making; active (1-2), collaborative (3) or passive (4-5) participation to determine what level of control patients’ desire in relation to their care. Results From 196 patients undergoing cardiac surgery 63 (32.1%) were eligible and agreed to participate. When asked about making plans for discharge 9 (14.3%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 25 (39.7%) preferred a collaborative approach and 29 (46.1%) a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was active (n = 10, 15.9%), collaborative (n = 17, 27.0%) or passive (n = 36, 57.1%). When asked about deciding when to go home 9 (14.3%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 18 (28.6%) preferred a collaborative approach and 36 (57.1%) preferred a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was active (n = 8, 12.7%), collaborative (n = 13, 20.6%) or passive (n = 42, 66.6%). When asked about their preferred role in deciding where they go when discharged 21 (33.4%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 19 (30.2%) preferred a collaborative approach and 23 (36.5%) a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was passive (n = 24, 38.1%), collaborative (n = 16, 25.4%) or passive (n = 23, 36.5%). Conclusion Patient preferences for control were congruous with their perceived experience of involvement in decision making which indicates patients’ preference for control is taken into account by clinicians managing the discharge planning process in this setting.

Factors influencing patient engagement in decision making for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional survey.

Patient engagement in decision making could improve healthcare quality and health outcome, which has been emphasized in atrial fibrillation (AF) management guidelines. However, patients report relatively low level of engagement in decision making for catheter ablation (CA). Therefore, this study aims to explore the influencing factors of AF patient engagement in decision making for CA. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 836 patients were recruited from six tertiary hospitals in Shanghai. Adapted version of the Control Preferences Scale, Chinese version of the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale, Chinese version of the Facilitation of Patient Involvement Scale and the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire were used to measure patient engagement in decision making, health literacy, perception of physician facilitation and AF knowledge, respectively. Of the 750 patients who returned valid questionnaires, 20.2% of the patients reported active engagement in decision making, 39.5% reported collaborative engagement, and 40.3% reported passive engagement. Compared with patients perceiving passive engagement, those with collaborative or active engagement were more likely to be female, have higher income, moderate EHRA class (II and III), higher perception of physician facilitation, higher health literacy and higher AF knowledge (P＜0.05 for all). The collaborative engagement group exhibited a shorter AF duration. The degree of patient engagement in CA decision making varied, with most perceiving passive engagement. Patient engagement in decision making was influenced by gender, income, duration of AF, EHRA class, perception of physician facilitation, health literacy and AF knowledge.

The Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Self-Esteem in Adult Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: This study was aimed to determine the relationship between nutritional knowledge level and self-esteem in adult women with type 2 diabetes. Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of 387 participants. Data were collected in an endocrinology outpatient clinic via face-to-face interviews. The data collection form consisted of a 'Personal Information Form', 'Nutrition Habits Section', 'Nutrition Knowledge Level and Food Preference Scale', 'Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale'. Number and percentage were used in the SPSS package program. Results that were not normally distributed were evaluated according to non-parametric tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.00±11.35 years and the educational level of 31.2% was primary school. The mean total score of the scales obtained by the participants was average. In the study, no relationship was found between basic nutrition knowledge level and food preference and self-esteem in adult women with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Basic nutrition knowledge and food preferences of women with Type 2 Diabetes were moderate and their self-esteem was adequate. It is important for health professionals to plan individual trainings by determining the nutritional knowledge levels and food preferences of women, and to ensure that diabetes control and self-esteem are increased in the effective management of diabetes and in the promotion of women's health.

Developing Scales of Learner Modality Preferences and Perspectives on Online Learning

While the COVID-19 pandemic significantly transformed post-secondary course delivery formats, little attention has been paid to post-pandemic learner preferences. To address this gap, we designed two scales to advance our understanding of learner preferences for online learning modalities: the Modalities of Digital Education – Learner Preference (MODE-LP) scale and the Perceptions of Online Learning Scale (POLS). In this proceeding, we describe the development and piloting of these scales, including how they can provide a nuanced understanding of learner preferences for online programs, courses, and course designs and the key underlying factors that impact them. We conclude with a snapshot of preliminary results and a discussion of future research.

Understanding parental preference for childcare: a cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China.

This study analyzed the factors influencing childcare preference and the relationship between childcare preference and childcare service demand scale, using data collected from a questionnaire survey of 3,921 parents of infants and toddlers in Chongqing, China. The results indicate that parents with higher incomes, higher education levels, older ages, multiple infants, and dual-career living in urban areas have a stronger preference for childcare. In the shared or grandparent care model, the childcare preference is not obvious. Parents of infants tend to choose childcare institutions that provide reception services, early education, and convenience services. Higher quality environmental facilities tend to reduce the preference of parents for childcare.

Pain intensity scales: A cross-sectional study on the preferences and knowledge of physiotherapists and participants with musculoskeletal pain

BackgroundSubjective pain intensity can be measured using instruments like the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). However, information on physiotherapists' and patients' knowledge and preference for these tools is scarce. ObjectiveWe investigated the knowledge and preference of physiotherapists and participants with musculoskeletal pain (MP) regarding the pain intensity measurement scales. MethodsThis cross-sectional study consisted of physiotherapists and participants with MP. Physiotherapists were recruited via social media for an online open survey, gathering sociodemographic, professional data, and their knowledge and preferences for pain intensity scales. Participants over 18 with MP, participated in interviews focusing on their familiarity and preferences for pain intensity scales. Data was analyzed descriptively, and Chi-squared test evaluated scale preferences. ResultsWe included 352 physiotherapists (mean experience = 10.5 years) and 94 participants with MP. Of the physiotherapists, 94.3% were familiar with pain scales, but 30.4% struggled to differentiate them. The NPRS was the most used (56.3%) and preferred scale (52.4%). Among participants with MP, unfamiliarity was noted with all scales. After instruction, 46% preferred FPS-R, with preference varying by income and education levels (p < 0.001). ConclusionWe found a knowledge gap among physiotherapists in identifying pain intensity scales, with a preference for the NPRS among those familiar with the scales. Participants with MP had limited familiarity with these scales. After instructions, these participants preferred the FPS-R, particularly those with lower income and education levels.

Translation and cultural adaption of the control preference scale across various care settings in a Danish hospital

BackgroundIn recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on involving patients in healthcare decision-making, driven by political, ethical, and research considerations. Although patient involvement is associated with improved health outcomes, understanding patient preferences regarding their role in decision-making is crucial for effective interventions. The Control Preferences Scale (CPS) measures patient preferences along a continuum from passive to active participation. However, its application in Denmark necessitates translation and cultural adaptation.MethodologyThis study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the CPS for Danish use across diverse healthcare settings: acute care, cancer care, elective surgery, chronic medical treatment, and parental involvement in pediatric care. Following a cross-sectional design, the translation process was systematically planned and executed using Beaton’s guidelines, including the five stages: forward and back translation, synthesis, expert review, and pre-testing.ResultsThe translation and adaption process was carried out successfully. Few linguistic challenges were identified and resolved by the expert review. The findings of the pre-testing indicated high acceptability and usability of the adapted CPS among 152 Danish patients and parents. The collaborative role emerged as the most preferred across settings (69.8%), with passive roles more prevalent among cancer patients (30%) and parents waiting with their child to see a pediatrician (23.3%). Notable, more women preferred collaborative or active roles (83.9%) than men (73.9%). The content validity assessment yielded positive feedback, affirming the relevance and comprehensiveness of the CPS.ConclusionsIn summary, the adaptation and validation of the CPS for Danish use proved successful, providing a valuable tool for assessing patient’s role preferences in healthcare decision-making. However, future studies are recommended to ensure construct validity and reliability through psychometric testing.